Over the past four years The Kimball Art Center has sculpted its annual Art Soirée into an enjoyable, fun and meaningful fundraiser.
And that will ring true to the one coming up on March 29, said Mary Bourke, who co-chairs the event with Heather Peteroy.
“We’re trying to throw a party that’s super fun, and we want this to be a party that people in Park City won’t want to miss,” Bourke said. “I’ve run a lot of fundraisers as a professional, and I’ve attended many fundraisers, and we’re trying to make this as welcoming and as creative as we can. It’s an art-centric creative party that raises money for a great organization.”
Registration is now open for individuals and tables of 10 at the Pendry Park City, according to Bourke.
“The Pendry has been generous enough to help serve as a sponsor,” she said. “This is our third year doing it there, and they are always very supportive.”
The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, before heading into a buffet dinner, Bourke said.
“It’s not really a formal affair; people can wander about and mingle,” she said. “We’ll have everyone sit down once the live auction starts.”
A silent auction will also raise funds throughout the evening, Bourke said.
“They will feature exclusive getaways and unique experiences,” she said. “(The items) tend to be very art themed. So there will be art and art-inspired trips.”
Many of the trips are led by Kimball Art Center Executive Director Aldy Milliken, Bourke said.
“He takes groups to various art fairs around the country and around the world,” she said.
This year, one of the trips will be a Kentucky-bourbon excursion to Louisville, said Alex Regenold, Kimball Art Center’s director of communications.
“Aldy used to run an art museum in Louisville,” she said. “So the trip will be paired with art.”
Other destinations include New York, Texas and Florida, according to Regenold.
“We also have trips to Sun Valley and Santa Fe.”
Some of the auction items include wine and art, Bourke said.
“Art lovers and wine lovers tend to go together,” she said with a laugh.
Two artworks stand out, said Regenold.
“Dolan Geiman, who is quite popular here, has donated some art for the live auction, and Karl Haendel, who recently had an exhibition at the Kimball, donated one of his pieces for the auction,” she said.
Other art in the auctions include works created by the Kimball Art Center ceramics classes and Park City Kimball Arts Festival participants, Regenold said.
“We’ll have some of our ceramicists and potters who will take over the dance floor before we start dancing, and they will create pieces live,” she said. “We’re excited to showcase their talent, and some of their pieces will be up in the silent auction as well.”
When the demonstration wraps, the dancing begins with music provided by DJ Dolph, Bourke said.
The ceramics theme of the evening was inspired by the Kimball Art Center’s two exhibits — “Traces” and the Wasatch Back Student Art Show, said Bourke. (See accompanying stories on B-1 and B-3.)
“So we encourage people to come to the soirée thinking of ‘sculpted elegance,’” she said with a laugh. “We know this is Park City, and people are welcome to come in jeans and suits with tennis shoes. However, we do encourage artistic creativity with what you wear.”
This year’s fundraising goal is $250,000, and the money will benefit the Kimball Art Center’s programming, especially the exhibits, Regenold said.
“It’s a celebration of exhibitions and what curator Nancy Stoaks does in bringing world-class names to the Kimball Art Center,” she said. “The exhibition program is part of what lets us inspire the community.”
Bourke remembers the first time she set foot in the Kimball Art Center’s location at 1251 Kearns.
“I had a personal tour led by Aldy, and from the outside you would not know what goes on inside,” she said. “I’m an art lover in general. My daughter is an artist, and my mother was an artist, and I just love that space and what they do for the community. If people haven’t been there, yet, they need to visit. Admission is free, and Aldy’s goal is to attract world-class artists and art lovers. Even if you don’t know a lot about art, the Kimball opens seven days a week, and volunteers will talk with you about the exhibits.”
Kimball Art Center Art Soirée